I spent a couple of hours this week preparing my yard for the spring time. Yes, the spring time that is six months away. It would have been so easy to look at the barren areas of my drought stricken grass and simply declare it too far gone to be saved. I am sure I could have found other things to do with my time, even important things. But then in the spring, when the flowers begin to bloom and the grass begins to sprout the fact that I did nothing to prepare for this time would be very evident and too late to fix.

Life very much resembles the changing of the seasons. What we hope to reap in one season must always be planted in an earlier season. When times seem cold and barren and stricken by drought is the time we most need to plant and prepare for the harvest we hope to gather. It is so easy not to do the things that are necessary now to reap that reward we so hope for in the future.

Here is my simple approach: Continue Reading…

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Building stronger relationships with those you live and work with takes work, and my hope is that we can all apply these short lessons to strengthen our most valued relationships. In lesson number one we looked at acceptance and how to have unconditional positive regard for others. In lesson number two we looked at appreciation and how to develop an attitude of gratefulness for others. Today, I would like to look at how to strengthen a relationship through admiration.

Inspiring by Admiring

I was told once by a young man that I mentor and coach that he admired me and wanted to grow up to be like me. After I picked myself off the floor and urged him to set his sights a little higher, I took a moment to notice what that comment did for me personally. Do you think I wanted to spend more time or less time with this young person? More would be the answer. Do you think I wanted to work harder at this relationship or let it slip away? Harder would be the answer.  I found it interesting to note the inspiration I took from his admiration. Then I started to wonder if I could instill that same inspiration in others if I could communicate my admiration for who they are and what they do. Continue Reading…